This morning, while making breakfast in a cast iron pan, I thought of a friend whom I haven't seen in over a year. She lives about two hours east of here, and I rarely get over that way anymore. When I first returned to Minnesota, I stayed with another friend who has a double geodesic domed home over that direction and I met some really cool people while I was there, including this gal. I wrote about her when I first started blogging, before anyone read it but me. I have never actually supplied a link to a previous post, although I have mentioned a couple of them when I felt it was apropos, but I'm making an exception, because I want to remember this friend and that wonderful day we spent together, and I'd like you to meet her, too, through this post.
At the end of the day, she said how grateful she was for all the help I had been, and although I was having a great time and had no intention of being reimbursed in any way but with a great memory, she would not be dissuaded, and so I went home with a crazy cool cast iron fry pan that makes me happy every time I use it. I grew up in a house where we used nothing but, and I'm betting many of you did, too. It's actually a cross between a fry pan and a dutch oven, so it's versatile, and I simply love it.
Here's the link (the title alludes to the post before): teresaevangeline.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-warned-you.html
A good friendship and a good cast iron pan just seem to go together. And I think it's time to re-season both.
Glass door knobs! Understand why you treasure that cast iron pot.
ReplyDeleteThat cast iron pot is indeed beautiful. And the story of the beautiful and elegant outhouse is, too. That was fun! Thanks for the glimpse at this interesting (nameless) friend! :-)
ReplyDeleteKittie, I love cooking in them. Glass knobs on an outhouse, only she would think of it. She's a cool lady.
ReplyDeleteDJan, It was a fun day. Another day, we canoed on the small lake she lives on. It was another nice time, that I blogged about, of course. :)
We both have pictures of pans on our post. Coincidence? Maybe!
ReplyDeleteMore than that, Michael, I just came back from reading your post and was thinking the same thing! I Love it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful story, both here and in the earlier post about the outhouse with glass doorknobs and other fancy stuff. Wish I'd thought of that, back when we had a cabin with an outhouse!
ReplyDeleteTeresa -- Iron frying pans. I think you could write a book on such an artifact. You have a good start. Maybe you could call it, "home on the range." Nice post -- barbara
ReplyDeleteA fitting homage to a special friend, Teresa. I love that she gave you a cast iron pan. Is there any better way to make eggs? I have two, one old, one not. Tom thinks they are his and takes great pride in his expertise at making a fried egg sandwich. He's pretty good at it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you linked to an earlier post. Try as I might to catch up, It doesn't always happen, especially going back a few years. What a fun post. Each time I see glass doorknobs you can be assured I will think of your friend and her outhouse. She sounds like a "really cool" person.
NANCY, I'm glad you enjoyed both. The outhouse we had when I was young certainly didn't have any "artwork." She turned this into a destination, for sure. : )
ReplyDeleteBARBARA, I love that idea and the title is great! Thanks!
PENNY, Mmmm, a fried egg sandwich sounds good. They are so nice to use and clean up so nicely. I love using them. I have a smaller one, too.
I'm glad you enjoyed the earlier post. I am reluctant to do this, but perhaps from time to time when it fits. Yeah, she sure is.
Dear Teresa,
ReplyDeleteI have a cast iron skillet but seldom think to use it because the only thing I fry is an egg and that infrequently. I need to take that skillet out of its hidey-hole and use it again so I can remember what a treasure it is.
The outhouse story delighted me. Your friend seems to be in essence a free spirit who embraces lightheartedness and beauty. Is that so?
Peace.
Yes, Dee, out of its hidey-hole. You captured my friend perfectly. The real deal, and an extraordinary gardener. That was the subject of another post.
ReplyDeleteI gave up unless they are enamaled, too hard to clean. I do have a dutch oven that is fun to make something special on when camping.
ReplyDeleteSteve, It's essential that they're "seasoned" from time to time and then not a lot of scrubbing is necessary, nor recommended. Just FYI. Nothing like taters with onions fried in a cast iron skillet over an open campfire.
ReplyDeleteGlass doorknob on an outhouse--she won me over right there!
ReplyDeleteFunny--Dagan and Leah recently got a big cast iron skillet and I have been thinking about them a lot lately. My mom had a big trusty skillet, too. Might just be the year for me to buy one...or two. Been thinking a big deep and a smaller one, too.
I am glad you linked back to the older post. I rarely ever do that, either. Thanks!
Rita, Me, too!
ReplyDeleteI use mine all the time now. They're great.
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, you are right. Frying pans provide a good analogy for friendships. I am reminded of that Joni Mitchel line when she sings about the break-up of a relationship:
ReplyDelete"The bed's too big,
Th frying pan too wide"
Love how you wrapped up this post.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're absolutely right and shall apply the same thought myself...
Pearl
Alan, Thanks for the reminder of the Joni Mitchell. My own frying pan has been wide for so long it seems normal. ;)
ReplyDeletePearl, Yes, apply that thought. :) Thanks so much for reading and commenting, and for all the good chuckles you provide, along with those nods of recognition.
Sometime to be said about reseasoning pots and friendships, but the way those cast iron pots sell for high dollars at the flea markets.
ReplyDeleteLinda, They're selling for high dollars? Wow. I guess the older ones are best, but they do sell new sets. I'm thinking of adding a two or three quart pot to mine.
ReplyDeleteI love your line about seasoning cast iron and friendships - and come to think about it, some friendships seem to be made of cast iron. They're sturdy and dependable.
ReplyDeleteI have my grandmother's big cast iron skillet - and still have the glass lid that came with it. I love it - though it needs seasoning again, too.
Yes! And with seasoning require little other care, just appreciation and respect. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd love. :)
ReplyDeleteCast iron -- can't live in the West without being outfitted with one or more of these pans, ovens. I have then in my camping equipment, in my kitchen and on display in the living room. Le Creuset I have bought when on sale at the Outlet Mall near San Antonio. Then, to have a friend that gave you a cast iron skillet -- what a gift!
ReplyDeleteJack, I'm so happy to hear from you. I trust you're recovering from your eye surgery and life feels good. Cast iron skillets represent so much, that solidity of a good friendship. You and I have talked before of using them over a campfire. There's something so true about that, that feels so right. I was just talking on the phone with my sister from Boerne. She and I have been to that mall together. It really is a small world and I'm so grateful for our connection.
ReplyDeleteYour pot is terrific, and it looks well-seasoned. Certainly a terrific gift!! I left mine at home during this trip and regret it because I really, really need it for so many recipes. I wish mine was as well-seasoned as yours; perhaps I have a job cut out for me when I return to MN.
ReplyDeleteI love even the act of re-seasoning it when needed. It's an act of love. It looks like you are having a wonderful time. What a beautiful place you are in right now.
ReplyDelete